African rebel groups call for ceasefire ahead of elections

A rebel coalition that fought the government in the Central African Republic said on Friday it was canceling a three-day ceasefire ahead of a tense general election this weekend.

Rebel groups launched an offensive a week ago threatening to march on the capital Bangui, in what the government has described as an attempted coup, but their progress has been halted with international aid.

The Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC) then announced a brief truce ahead of Sunday’s presidential and legislative elections, seen as a crucial test for the ailing country.

But the CCP said in a statement Friday that it had “decided to break the self-imposed 72-hour truce and resume its relentless march towards its ultimate goal” – to take the capital.

In the statement, confirmed to AFP as genuine by two of the six coalition groups, the CCP said it made the decision “in the face of” the government’s irresponsible stubbornness. “

The signatories of the ceasefire had “invited the authorities to observe the ceasefire over the same period” and called on President Faustin Archange Touadera to suspend the election.

But government spokesman Ange-Maxime Kazagui rejected the ceasefire on Thursday, saying it was “a non-event” and that “we haven’t seen these people stop what they’re doing” .

The CCP claimed that the government “cavalierly rejected” this “chance for peace.”

Sunday’s elections are seen as a key test of the conflict-torn country’s ability to regain stability. By Camille Laffont (AFP / File)

“Several attacks followed on positions occupied” by CCP forces, according to its statement.

The authenticity of the statement was confirmed by two of the main coalition armed groups – the 3Rs and the Popular Front for the Renaissance of Central Africa (FPRC).

‘We are marching on Bangui’

General Bobo, the leader of the 3R, told AFP that “now either the government is dispersing us or we are marching on Bangui, which is our final objective.”

After a brief lull in fighting on Thursday morning, clashes resumed in Bakouma, about 800 kilometers (500 miles) northeast of Bangui, according to Vladimir Monteiro, spokesman for MINUSCA’s peacekeeping force in the UN.

The CCP was created on December 19 by armed groups who accuse Touadera, the favorite in Sunday’s election, of attempting to rig the vote.

Its components come from militias which together control two-thirds of the country.

A map of the Central African Republic. By Aude GENET (AFP)

Previously, the government accused Touadera’s ousted predecessor, François Bozize, of instigating a coup with the rebels, an accusation it denies.

Armed men had sought to descend the main highways towards Bangui, but were arrested, according to MINUSCA.

On Tuesday, rebels captured RCA’s fourth largest town, Bambari, 380 kilometers (240 miles) northeast of Bangui.

Security forces backed by UN peacekeepers regained control the next day.

MINUSA said Thursday that a contingent of 300 Rwandan reinforcements had arrived in the country.

Russia, which recently signed a military cooperation agreement with Touadera’s government, has also sent at least 300 military instructors to bolster CAR forces.

‘I am not afraid’

Sunday’s elections are seen as a key test of the conflict-torn country’s ability to regain stability.

Touadera, 63, is being considered a candidate for a second term after CAR’s highest court banned Bozize, who is on a 2014 wanted list and under UN sanctions, from running.

Former President François Bozize, on the left, and his successor President Faustin Archange Touadera. By FLORENT VERGNES, Ludovic MARIN (AFP / File)

But a crucial question is whether the turnout will be seriously affected by violence or intimidation, damaging the credibility of the next president and the 140-seat legislature.

On Friday, the streets of Bangui – the last official day of the campaign – more attention was paid to the Christmas celebrations than to the impending elections.

“I’m not afraid. I’m going to vote on Sunday and I think there will be peace after the election,” Wallace, 27, said.

Rich in minerals but ranked second poorest country in the world on the Human Development Index, the CAR has been chronically unstable since independence 60 years ago.